Hey guys,
Just got my first ball python, he's a 3 month old male. I had him shipped from a breeder having only seen a picture, and before he arrived I went out and bought some feeder mice. I chose hopper mice and rat pups thinking he'd be eating in this size range.
24 hours after I got him he had already explored his cage, found his hide, seemed like he was comfortable and not being sure when the last time he ate, I thought I'd see what he would do if he smelled a mouse. So I put one on the top of his enclosure and his head came out and got all curious, I ended up feeding him the smallest hopper mouse. He pounded it and stayed in the ready position for striking after that. Seemed like the little guy was still hungry.
I waited two days and then fed him the second smallest hopper. Again ate it no problem and started crawling around looking around his tank before finding his hide.
I weighed him today, he's 119grams and approximately 18-20 inches long (still balls up when handling so I can't say for sure his length).
The last two hoppers in the box are 8 and 10 grams, the first two he ate were smaller but I can't say for sure the size. Definitely feeling he can go up in size, he's way bigger around than the hoppers (about 3 2/8 ") but I want to finish off the hoppers before I try the rat pups.
So my question is, is feeding him these small meals every few days ok? I've read about feeding multiple smaller prey in one feeding, is maybe two in one sitting the better way to go? Or am I ok to let him eat one hopper every few days til he finishes them off and then move onto the larger rat pups and then of course put more time in between feedings?
I know feeding every few days is more frequent than recommended but from what I'm reading it sounds like he's eating meals half the size of what he should be. And he seems hungry after feeding! Goes searching and smelling around the tank and then eventually to the hide to digest.
Appreciate any feedback!
Reply With Quote